How to Select a General Contractor for Your Bathroom Remodel
Your choice of general contractor will make or break your bathroom renovation. A skilled, communicative GC transforms a stressful remodel into a manageable project, while a poor choice leads to delays, budget overruns, and endless frustration. Here's how to find the right contractor and avoid costly mistakes.
Quick Summary
Time needed
1-2 weeks
Difficulty
Moderate (research-intensive)
Importance
Critical
Why Contractor Selection Is the Most Important Decision You'll Make
A bathroom remodel involves plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tile work, and fixtures—all in a small space where mistakes are expensive to fix. The general contractor coordinates these moving parts, manages the schedule, solves problems as they arise, and ultimately determines whether your project finishes on time, on budget, and to your standards.
The consequences of hiring the wrong contractor extend far beyond money. A bad contractor can leave you with water damage behind walls, code violations that haunt future sales, and months of living without a functional bathroom. Taking extra time now to vet contractors properly is one of the best investments you can make.
- Quality control: A good GC catches subcontractor mistakes before they become your problems.
- Schedule management: Coordinating plumbers, electricians, and tile setters is a full-time job. Your GC handles this.
- Problem solving: Every remodel hits surprises. Experienced contractors know how to adapt without derailing the project.
- Permit navigation: They know local codes and inspector expectations, avoiding costly failed inspections.
- Warranty protection: Reputable contractors stand behind their work and fix issues that arise after completion.
What to Prepare Before Contacting Contractors
Before reaching out to any contractors, gather these materials. The more prepared you are, the more accurate your bids will be—and the more seriously contractors will take you as a client.
Project Documentation
- Written scope of work (what you want done)
- Design plans or inspiration photos
- Budget range (be realistic)
- Desired timeline and any deadlines
Research Tools
- Spreadsheet to compare bids
- State license lookup bookmark
- Reference question checklist
- Interview question list
Step-by-Step: Finding and Vetting Your Contractor
1. Gather Contractor Recommendations
Start by casting a wide net. The best contractors rarely advertise because they get work through referrals. Your goal is to identify 4-6 potential candidates to evaluate.
Where to Find Referrals
- Personal network: Friends, family, coworkers who've done bathroom remodels recently
- Neighbors: Check NextDoor or ask around—local contractors know local codes best
- Specialty suppliers: Tile showrooms and plumbing supply houses often know quality contractors
- Online platforms: Houzz, Angi (HomeAdvisor), Thumbtack—but verify credentials independently
- Local building department: They can't recommend, but can tell you who pulls permits consistently
2. Verify Licenses and Insurance (Non-Negotiable)
Before wasting time on interviews, verify that each contractor has valid credentials. This step eliminates unqualified candidates quickly.
License Verification
Search your state's contractor licensing board online. Look up each contractor by license number or business name and verify:
- License is current and active (not expired or suspended)
- No outstanding disciplinary actions or complaints
- License covers the scope of your project
- Business name matches what they presented
Insurance Requirements
Request certificates of insurance (COI) directly from the contractor's insurance provider. You need:
- General liability: $1M per occurrence minimum
- Workers' compensation: Required if they have employees
- Your name as additional insured for the project duration
3. Check Reviews, BBB, and Online Presence
Online research reveals patterns that references might not. Look for consistency across platforms and pay attention to how contractors respond to negative reviews.
Green Flags
- Consistent positive reviews across platforms
- Professional responses to complaints
- BBB accreditation with A/A+ rating
- Active business for 5+ years
- Portfolio of similar bathroom projects
Red Flags
- No online presence whatsoever
- Defensive or aggressive review responses
- BBB complaints about unfinished work
- Multiple business name changes
- Reviews mentioning permit issues
Check Google Business, Yelp, Houzz, BBB.org, and your state's attorney general consumer protection database. A few negative reviews among many positive ones is normal—focus on patterns and how problems were resolved.
4. Request and Compare Detailed Bids
Contact your shortlisted contractors (aim for 3-5) to request bids. A professional bid process tells you a lot about how the contractor will communicate during your project.
What a Good Bid Should Include
Itemized line items
Labor, materials, fixtures broken out separately
Detailed scope of work
Exactly what's included and excluded
Material specifications
Brands, models, quantities—not just "tile"
Project timeline
Start date, milestones, completion estimate
Payment schedule
When payments are due and for what milestones
Warranty terms
Duration and what's covered
5. Call References and Ask the Right Questions
References provided by the contractor will obviously be positive. Your job is to ask questions that reveal useful details beyond "they did a great job."
Reference Questions That Actually Matter
- 1."How did the contractor handle unexpected problems that came up during the project?" (Every remodel has surprises—you want to know how they adapt)
- 2."Was the final cost close to the original estimate?" (Significant overruns suggest poor estimation or scope creep)
- 3."How was their communication? Did they return calls/texts promptly?" (Communication breakdown is the #1 complaint about contractors)
- 4."Did they show up when they said they would?" (Reliability during your project starts with reliability during scheduling)
- 5."Were there any punch list items, and how quickly were they addressed?" (Tests whether they finish strong or disappear at the end)
- 6."Would you hire them again for another project?" (The ultimate test—hesitation tells you everything)
Ask to visit a completed project if possible. Photos only tell part of the story—seeing the quality of trim work, tile cuts, and finishing details in person reveals the contractor's true craftsmanship.
6. Conduct In-Person Interviews
Meet your top 2-3 candidates in person at your home. This is your chance to assess their professionalism, communication style, and how well they understand your vision.
Key Interview Questions
- "Who will be on-site daily, and how do I reach them?" — Know your point of contact
- "How do you handle change orders?" — Changes happen; the process should be clear
- "What's your approach to dust and debris control?" — Shows consideration for your living space
- "How many projects do you run simultaneously?" — Too many = you won't get attention
- "What permits will this project require?" — Tests their knowledge of local codes
- "What does your warranty cover, and for how long?" — Get specifics, not vague promises
7. Evaluate Communication Style and Chemistry
Technical skills matter, but you'll be communicating with this person for weeks or months. Compatibility prevents frustration and misunderstandings.
Pro Tips for Contractor Selection
Check permit history
Visit your local building department and ask if the contractor has a history of pulling permits. Contractors who skip permits often cut other corners too.
Drive by their current jobsite
A clean, organized worksite indicates professionalism. Debris everywhere and materials left in the rain suggests carelessness.
Ask about their team
Find out if they use employees or subcontractors. Neither is inherently better, but you should know who's actually doing the work.
Discuss worst-case scenarios
Ask what happens if they find mold, water damage, or structural issues. Their answer reveals how they handle the unexpected.
Verify subcontractor credentials
If they use subs for plumbing or electrical, ask for those license numbers too. The GC should be vetting their team.
Never pay more than 10-15% upfront
Industry standard is a small deposit, then payments tied to milestones. Large upfront payments remove their incentive to finish.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing based solely on price
Why it's a problem: The lowest bidder often cuts corners, uses inferior materials, or submits change orders later
What to do instead: Compare value, not just price. A mid-range bid with detailed scope beats a vague low bid every time
Skipping the license and insurance check
Why it's a problem: Unlicensed work can void warranties, fail inspections, and leave you liable if someone gets hurt
What to do instead: Verify every contractor's credentials before the first interview. No exceptions.
Not getting everything in writing
Why it's a problem: Verbal agreements lead to disputes about scope, cost, and timeline
What to do instead: If it's not in the contract, it doesn't exist. Document every detail and change order
Rushing the decision due to scheduling pressure
Why it's a problem: Contractors who pressure you to decide quickly often have something to hide
What to do instead: Good contractors are booked out—take time to vet properly even if it means waiting for availability
Ignoring poor communication early on
Why it's a problem: Communication problems during bidding become nightmares during construction
What to do instead: If they're hard to reach now, eliminate them from consideration immediately
Not defining the payment schedule clearly
Why it's a problem: Unclear payment terms lead to disputes and can leave you with leverage problems
What to do instead: Tie payments to specific milestones: demo complete, rough-in inspected, tile done, final walkthrough
Red Flags That Should End the Conversation
Some warning signs are serious enough to disqualify a contractor immediately. Don't ignore these hoping things will improve.
- Requests more than 15% upfront or wants to be paid entirely in cash
- Cannot or will not provide proof of license and insurance
- Pressures you to sign today with a 'special discount'
- No physical business address or uses only a PO box
- Won't provide references or the references don't check out
- Bid is significantly lower than all others (often means they'll make it up in change orders)
- Bad-mouths other contractors instead of focusing on their own qualifications
- Wants to skip permits to 'save you money'
- Can't clearly explain their process or answer basic questions
- Has multiple negative reviews mentioning the same issues
Frequently Asked Questions
How many contractor bids should I get for a bathroom remodel?
Get at least three bids for any bathroom remodel project. This gives you enough data points to understand fair market pricing and compare approaches. For larger projects over $30,000, consider getting four or five bids. However, don't just chase the lowest price—focus on comparing scope, materials quality, timeline, and the contractor's communication style.
What insurance should a general contractor have for bathroom work?
At minimum, a general contractor should carry general liability insurance ($1 million per occurrence is standard) and workers' compensation insurance for their employees. Request certificates of insurance directly from their insurance provider, not just copies from the contractor. The certificate should name you as an additional insured for the duration of your project.
How do I verify a contractor's license is valid?
Every state has a contractor licensing board with an online lookup tool. Search for your state's name plus "contractor license lookup" to find the official database. Enter the contractor's license number or name to verify the license is active, check for any disciplinary actions, and confirm it covers the type of work you need. Some states don't require general contractor licenses, but may require licenses for specific trades like plumbing and electrical.
What are the biggest red flags when hiring a contractor?
Major red flags include: requesting large upfront deposits (more than 10-15%), being unwilling to provide a written contract, no verifiable references, expired or no license/insurance, pressure to sign immediately, unusually low bids compared to others, poor communication during the bidding process, and wanting to be paid only in cash. Trust your instincts—if something feels off during the hiring process, the problems will likely multiply during construction.
Should I hire a general contractor or manage subcontractors myself?
For most bathroom remodels, hiring a general contractor is worth the cost (typically 15-25% markup on labor and materials). A good GC handles scheduling, permits, inspections, problem-solving, and coordinates multiple trades. Self-managing subs requires construction knowledge, flexibility to be on-site frequently, and tolerance for the stress of coordinating plumbers, electricians, tile setters, and others. If you have experience and a simple project, you might save money managing it yourself, but most homeowners underestimate the complexity.
Ready for the Next Step?
Once you've selected your general contractor, it's time to line up the specialized trades. Your GC may handle this, but understanding what to look for in a licensed plumber will help you evaluate their choices.